Educators making a difference...

I recently asked principals and administrators across North America one simple question: What do you love about your job? Here are the responses I got...and I must say, they are pretty awesome. Enjoy!

"The Blind Side"

A few days ago I had the opportunity to watch the movie The Blind Side. As my wife and I sat there watching the movie I couldn't help but notice how "into" the movie we were. This was not the first time I heard of the movie, however it was the first time I could watch the movie in its entirety. At my high school we watched a short clip of the film as part of a Character Education lesson during our academic advisory time. Several students in my advisory expressed their love of the movie, and as a result I put it on my list of movies to watch.

As educators we have taken a vow to not only help our students, but also to positively affect the lives of our students. If you have seen the movie then you know what I am talking about; if you have not seen the movie then I encourage you to move it up on your list of movies to watch. If the movie affects you half as much as it affected me, then it will definitely be worth your time...

I wrote a post earlier in the year titled, Why you matter much more than you think, and I believe the post has a ton of relevance to the movie. Every day we have the opportunity and luxury of helping. That is what we do: we help, we encourage, we guide, we support and we protect our students. We do all of these things not because it is our job, in fact, I would argue it has nothing to do with it being our job. We do these things because it is in our nature to help...we do these things because they are the right things to do...we do these things because we are human, and to be human means to help...

As we approach the dawn of a new year, I encourage and challenge all of us to do just a little more than in years past. If every one of us did just a little bit more than in previous years, we will all be doing a whole lot better! Your actions will always speak louder than your words, but most importantly, your positive actions are highly replicable and highly contagious. Enjoy this 3 minute clip and make 2011 a better year for all...   

How do you define learning...?

I will start this post off by saying you will not find any answers here.  At best you might be more confused than when you started.  This year has been the year of change for my German students and myself.  We have been pushing the envelope when it comes to technology integration in a foreign language class.  Overall, I can honestly say things have been going quite well.  Students seem to be actively engaged and interested, and most importantly they have taken great strides when it comes to taking control of their own individual learning.  After reading this one would think everything is going perfectly well, however the realist in me believes when it sounds too good to be true, it's probably not true...

In the past week I have had two of my best students vocalize their dismay with some of this year's activities.  Whether the students are my best or my worst students I will always listen to what they have to say. However, in this instance I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt just a little more coming from two of my best kiddos.  Their claim was simple and straight forward; "We don't think we are learning as much this year in your class as we did last year."  Who would have thought a simple sentence like that could hurt so much, but I felt as if the air had been knocked out of me.  The sirens and bells were going off in my head and I immediately thought, "What am I doing wrong?"

The more and more I thought about these piercing comments the more I focused on the particular students making the claims.  They are two of my B.O.B.S (best of the best students), and obviously if they think they aren't learning as much this year then I must be doing something wrong. Or am I...?

I have been trying to infuse a little of Dan Pink's book "Drive" into my classroom.  Additionally, I have set a goal of transforming my role as the teacher.  I no longer want to be the only person with knowledge...I no longer want to lay out the learning process for my students like a puzzle...I no longer want to be a teacher; I want to be a guiding hand helping to facilitate an environment of exploration and discovery. No longer will the responsibility of learning be on my shoulders; I want my students to share that burden with me.  I want my students to teach themselves, each other and even me.

Though I still remain hurt by the comments of these two great students, I think something much more devastating is being revealed.  Even amongst our best students, we have ingrained the idea of book work and worksheets as the only source of learning.  I am just as guilty as any other educator in creating this misconception, but I now have an added motivation to rectifying it.  I will continue my assault on traditional book work and worksheet learning.  I am not saying it should be entirely eliminated, but I think we might have a problem when our best students associate learning only when they have a book or worksheet in hand.  Or, I am entirely off base, and my two awesome students are 100% correct in their findings...

Life of an Educator: Top 5 blog posts of 2010...

I started this blog on June 14th, 2010.  For the last 6 months this blog has provided me the opportunity to share and collaborate with some of the best educators in the world.  I have been able to take my self-reflection to the next level, which in turn has hopefully made me a better educator.  This blog has been influential as I embrace the concept of 24/7 professional development...anytime and anywhere.  For the members of my PLN and the readers of my blog, I thank you for your support and encouragement.  I firmly believe that our combined efforts will make us all better educators, and as such we will be better positioned to positively affect the lives of our students.  Happy readings!

1) - Why Twitter Should be a Part of your PLN

2) - 5 Ways to Spread the Power of Twitter as a PD Tool

3) - 7 Proven Strategies that Will Engage your Students

4) - 5 Technology Tips for the not-so-Tech Savvy Teacher - @JPPrezz

5) - 10 Tips for Starting a Technology (Learning) Revolution in your School

The Dream Fulfiller...

"Hey... Don´t ever let somebody tell you, you can´t to something. Not even me... Alright? You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can't do it. You want something? Go get it. Period." (Christopher Gardner)

 

Every day educators around the world have the opportunity to help, support, and encourage students to strive for their dreams. This is an opportunity most will never have. Please take a moment to remember who and what we are fighting for...

How many dreams are you helping to fulfill...?  

10 tips for starting a technology revolution in your school...

This school year has been a year of learning for me; learning both through my successes and failures. I have attempted to start a technology revolution at my high school, Seckman High School. As a Professional Development Representative at my high school, as well as fulfilling the requirements of one of my doctoral assignments, this task has great value and meaning to me. Some of the 10 following tips have been learned the hard way, while others just happened to work out well. Either way, these 10 tips should hopefully provide some assistance as more and more buildings and districts start their very own technology revolutions...

1 - Make sure the administration is on board...

This first tip is not always 100% necessary, but I can say from experience that it will certainly make things easier. Approach your building and district administration with concrete examples of how integrating more technology will increase student engagement, thus increasing student achievement. Additionally, provide real life examples of how social media and technology have improved your abilities as an educator. Share with them how social media and technology can be a valuable asset when it comes to educator growth and development, as well as how these tools can be used as a foundation for professional development.

2 - Lay the groundwork and foundation by asking simple questions...

In order for this technology revolution to start you must have an idea of where your fellow colleagues are when it comes to technology knowledge and background. Simply take some time to both formally and informally ask questions. This will help you when it comes to knowing where to start, as well as what information could be skipped over and/or re-emphasized to get the technology revolution underway. Additionally, use these questions to find out what pieces of technology and social media are already being used, and in what ways they are being used.

3 - Some educators will be advanced...but most will not be - GO SLOW...

I have probably heard "You need to slow down" more than any other comment thus far this year. The excitement and passion some educators have for technology and social media is awesome...however, this excitement must be contained and released on a slow and controlled basis. Going slow ensures you won't lose anyone simply because you were going too fast. Remember, some of these concepts and ideas are 100% brand new, so consequently going slow and not overwhelming anyone is key.

4 - Do not drown your fellow educators with too much too soon...

Please don't forget that our colleagues are learning and have similar characteristics and qualities as our students do. Furthermore, you can't and shouldn't give them too much to bite off at one time. Take it slowly and present one or maybe two concepts at a time. By limiting yourself to one or two concepts, your fellow educators have a much better chance of fully grasping those topics before moving on to any new ones. A stressed and confused brain shuts down...make sure you don't help in creating a room full of shut down brains.

5 - Support and encourage your shining stars...

As the year progresses and the technology revolution is more underway, a few sparks and shining stars will begin to emerge. These educators will be embracing the technology revolution. They will even be using some of the concepts they have learned in their classes. These educators need to be encouraged and supported, because they are taking a chance and a risk by trying something new (in case you didn't know, this is really difficult for most educators). Allow these "superstars" to discover and explore, but keep them also in close contact. Be there to help at the first sign of struggling, but only if they want help. These shining stars are the first sign of a successful technology revolution. They will be alone and at times alienated for trying something new, they will need your support and guidance.

6 - Use the largest, loudest, and most listened to group in the school - the students...

Invite and encourage students in your school to help teach and lead social media and technology sessions. Can you imagine a better way to get students more involved and engaged than this? This will also help educators to realize it is okay to not know all the answers. We can learn from students just as we expect them to learn from us. The students are and will continue to be a great resource that unfortunately, most schools never tap into...let's change that.

7 - Get constant feedback from your colleagues...

Just as educators use formative assessments to get feedback and information from students, we need to get feedback and information from our colleagues. Ask them how these new ideas are impacting their classrooms; ask them if they are using any of these tools to grow professionally; ask them if they see value in learning about technology and social media integration. You have to not only ask these questions, but you also have to respond to their answers. Simply asking the questions is not enough, you will need to change, modify, and adapt based on their responses. This is a vital key moving forward as you continue the technology revolution.

8 - Offer your time to help others (off the clock)...

Busy is the default. We are all busy, but when you are starting a revolution, you will need to offer your assistance and services when others are available and have time. This will require you to stay after school to help. This will require you to use your conference period to answer emails and trouble shoot problems people might be having. It is absolutely crucial you are available to help answer some of the questions your colleagues WILL have. The first stages of any revolution are the most difficult...this one will be no different.

9 - Help make technology and social media applicable to their class / content area...

When somebody asks, and they will ask, "How does this work for me in my class," you will need to have an answer. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think about how these new tools can have a positive effect on their classroom. Provide your colleagues with lists and resources of other people teaching the same or similar classes. If your fellow educators don't see how technology and social media integration can help them or their students, they will not take part in the revolution.

10 - When you get discouraged, don't - the revolution will be long and hard...

As hard as it is to imagine, there will be fellow educators who will be critical. They will purposely try to derail the technology revolution. They will talk in the shadows about how this is just one more thing and by next year it will be gone. They will relish in any setback or problem that arises. DO NOT LET THEM GET YOU DOWN. You see value in what you are doing, and you know it can positively affect the lives of both students and educators. Remain steady in your resolve and do what is best for the kiddos. Your colleagues will be looking to you for leadership and inspiration, and it is your job to be the unyielding voice of optimism and hope. Are you ready for the revolution...? 

The first step toward a digital portfolio...

My German 3 students are doing a lot of things they have never done in school before.  They are taking part in an experiment of sorts...an experiment aimed at increasing student interest and engagement levels through the use of technology.  Most importantly, I am learning right along side each and every student of mine.  Together, we are stepping outside of our comfort zones with the hope of growing and learning through sharing and collaboration.  

All of my German 3 students have started their very own German blogs though Google's Blogspot.  They have also pushed PowerPoint to the side in favor of using Prezi.  They have been utilizing a Flip Camera to express themselves while answering questions in German about how we should conduct the class in the future.  They have been answering weekly discussion posts on Facebook to reflect upon prior activities and assessments.  Currently, my students are working on their first Glog about their interests and hobbies.  In two weeks they will be making their first Xtranormal video to display their creativity and German skills.  My German students have also learned how to use Google Docs, Wallwisher and Pindax.

I am still contemplating ideas for next semester both through Twitter and my PLN, as well as by using both formal and informal questioning of my students (through Facebook and the Flip Camera) about what they would like to do.  The one thing that I am really excited about is the last task I will ask my students to complete at the end of the school year.  Since each student has a German blog, I will ask the students to do a short reflection (in German) on each of these activities related to technology.  Additionally, the students will learn how to insert the links to each of their completed assignments.  By doing this I am hoping each student will leave my German 3 class with a digital portfolio.  This one blog post will contain several reflections, as well as the links to their final projects.

I am looking forward to seeing all the finished products at the end of the school year.  I am also looking for ways to improve this process, while getting as much feedback as possible from my students.  If you have any suggestions or advice please leave a comment and share your knowledge and / or experience.  Thank you, and please remember...trying new things can be difficult and at times uncomfortable, but the worst thing that has happened to me this year is I have learned how to improve upon it for next year...